Real-Life Spy Gear from the CIA Converted for use with Top Secret/SI Edited by J.L. Hicks NOTE: The text and images in this document, with the exception of game stats and editor’s notes, were taken directly from the CIA Website at www.cia.gov. This information has been placed in the public domain by the Central Intelligence Agency, and the editor wishes to extend his thanks to that organization for giving us a glimpse into a part of the history of our country which is not usually seen. Item Name Caltrop -- Normal -- Tire Spike Matchbox Camera Mark IV Microdot Camera Minox Camera “Belly Buster” Hand-Crank Audio Drill Seismic Intruder Detection Device Dead Drop Spike “Silver Dollar” Hollow Container CALTROP (TIRE SPIKE)
Caltrops were used extensively for operations during the early days of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), the predecessor of the CIA. A scaled-down version of caltrops used to stop horses during medieval times, this device was also effective in harassing modern-day enemies. When scattered on roads and runways, the nonreflective caltrops would always land with one of the four spikes in an upright position, disrupting vehicular movement. This particular spike is hollow and can puncture a self-sealing rubber tire. MATCHBOX CAMERA
The Eastman Kodak Company developed and manufactured this camera for use by the Office of Strategic Services. It was made in the shape of a matchbox and could be camouflaged by adding a matchbox label appropriate for the country in which it
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was to be used. The camera, which uses 16mm film, was designed to be operated with a minimum of useradjustable settings. It was deployed "behind the lines" by resistance personnel in World War II for target recording and propaganda photography. It featured rugged construction and controls which could be operated by "feel." ( EDI- TOR'S NOTE: This is a variant of the Mini-camera from the Top Secret/S.I. boxed set.) MARK IV MICRODOT CAMERA
When the Berlin Wall was erected, passing documents between agents in Eastern Europe and the West became nearly impossible. The mail became the primary means of communication,
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and many agents relied on "microdots" to get messages through. Using a microdot camera -- itself small enough to be used undetected -- an agent could take photographs that could be reduced to a tiny dot. The pinhead-sized piece of film was then glued somewhere in a typewritten letter and sent through the mail undetected . The agent receiving the letter would retrieve the film and put it under a microscope to read the message. Microdot cameras were used primarily during the 1950s and early 1960s. (EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a variant of the Microfilm Camera from the G4 File.) MINOX CAMERA
This ultraminiature precision camera has been a favorite of spies around the world for many years. The camera was originally designed in 1934 and, by 1939, 17,000 had been manufactured worldwide. The Minox was reintroduced in 1958 with an ultralight plastic body. Because of its small size, it was easy to conceal and operate in one hand. It could take excellent photographs of documents at close range and was a natural for clandestine photography. Convicted spy John A. Walker, Jr., used a Minox supplied by the KGB to photograph sensitive National Security Agency codes for the Soviets. (EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a variant of the Minicamera from the Top Secret/S.I. boxed set.) "BELLY BUSTER" HAND-CRANK AUDIO DRILL
The "Belly Buster" drill was used during the late 1950s / early 1960s to drill holes into masonry for implanting audio devices. After assembly, the base of
SEISMIC INTRUDER DETECTION DEVICE
This Cold Warera motion detector was designed to blend in with local terrain. It can detect movement of people, animals, or objects up to 300 meters. The device is powered by three mercury cells and has a built-in dipole antenna and built-in 150 MHz transmitter, which relays the device's findings through coded impulses. DEAD DROP SPIKE
The dead drop spike is a concealment device which has been used since the late 1960s to hide money, maps, documents, microfilm, and other items. The spike is waterproof and mildew-proof and can be shoved into the ground or placed in a shallow stream to be retrieved at a later time. "SILVER DOLLAR" HOLLOW CONTAINER
This hollow container, fashioned to look like an Eisenhow er silver dollar, is still used today to hide and send messages or film without being detected. Because it resembles ordinary pocket change, it is virtually undetectable as
